Meet the Author & ArtistSaturday, February 10, 11:30am -1:30pmJoin us as we welcome author and artist Carol E. Cowan for a book signing of her new book, Canadian Western Landscapes: Through the Years. Inspired by her first publication of paintings, which generated a great deal of interest, this second edition Canada Western Landscapes is a wonderful collection of her work in water colour, mulit-media oils, and acrylics. With an artistic brilliance captured in resplendent and harmonious hues, and distinctive design elements, this book offers a privileged viewing of the Cowan art gallery that cannot help but stimulate one's artistic imagination.Delight in Carol's work as she is also our featured artist in this month's art gallery where her pieces are available for sale.

Introducing Study Buddies!

Weekly on Wednesdays! 4:00pm-5:00pm

Need a study partner? Drop in for our new program, Study Buddies! Teen Advisory Council members welcome students of all ages who need extra help and motivation preparing for exams and doing homework. Free to attend.

Strathmore Municipal Library Celebrates Family Literacy Day

Denise Geremia

Marjorie Hembroff

Patricia Mullin

Fall in love this February with Blind Date with a Book!

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but what about the title, author, or plot? Blind Date with a Book challenges you to break out of your reading ruts and try something a little new. All books are wrapped in bright concealing paper and feature a short "teaser" on the cover ready to entice even the shyest of readers. Books are available for all ages! Will you book be a romance, mystery, or a biography? Perhaps your book date will take you on a wild adventure your imagination never dreamed of! Take home a blind date book today. You may just find your reading match!

Director's Corner - Rachel Dick Hughes

Thank you to everyone who made it out to our Grand Opening! We enjoyed celebrating this exciting new chapter with you all. And thanks to those who have been popping in to tell us how much you love the changes. We are delighted to see the way the space is being enjoyed. Your support has shown us how much you value having a vibrant community library. It is an honour for us to provide this service to you.

February is here, and that means that Freedom to Read Week is just around the corner. One of the key roles of public libraries is to facilitate access to all kinds of expressions of knowledge, creativity, and intellectual activity. For this reason, we work hard to ensure our collection reflects a wide range of opinions, interests, and beliefs while still meeting a basic standard of quality. Consequently, a few of our items are considered offensive and inappropriate by some, and we occasionally receive requests to consider pulling a title off of our shelves. The Library’s commitment to intellectual freedom means that we place the responsibility for determining what content is appropriate with the individual, or in case of a minor, with the individual’s parent or caregiver. Our responsibility is to ensure access, not to limit it.

In celebration of Freedom to Read, here are a few titles that are good reminders of why intellectual freedom is so valuable (click on the book image to place your holds):

Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeline Thien follows a family’s experience in China from the rise of Chairman Mao to Tiananmen Square and then through to immigration to Canada. A strong cast of characters and exquisite writing make this a work of historical fiction not to be missed.

The Accusation by Bandi is a collection of short stories written between 1989 and 1995, smuggled out of North Korea for publication in 2017. This collection illuminates daily life in North Korea for an audience that has very little idea of what that life is like.

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 remains the classic dystopian novel of what happens when books and the ideas they present are considered so dangerous that authorities will stop at nothing to protect citizens from the risks they contain.

For a more modern take, Canadian Lawrence Hill wrote an essay based on his experience of the reception of his novel, The Book of Negroes. The essay, titled “Dear Sir, I Intend to Burn Your Book,” explores the relationship we have with books that offend us. It is a thought-provoking and engaging read.

So this month, we hope you join us in celebrating the joy and luxury of reading!

So, you want to be a beekeeper?

Thursday, February 22, 5:30pm-7:30om

In recent years, beekeeping has been receiving more and more attention. Many people are becoming interested in keeping honeybees. Perhaps you would like to have your own hives. There is so much information out there, that beginners might not know where to start.

This presentation will give you a basic idea of what information to look for and who to ask when you have questions. There will be an overview of equipment, challenges, expenses, and potential legal requirements once you decide to start your own honeybee hive.

This program is free to attend and no registration is required.

Celebrating World Read Aloud Day

On Thursday, March 1 the Mayor, Pat Fule and Councillor, Lorriane Bauer read stories at our regular Story Time program to celebrate World Read Aloud Day.

Community Education Services session returning

Youth Bullying & Discrimination

Wednesday, February 14

10:00am-11:30am

Library Meeting Room

Presented via Videoconference

Free to attend. No registration required.

The session will address:

The characteristics of a healthy relationship

The relationships between healthy interactions, social connections, and bullying behaviour

Are you ready to browse the book sale tables in comfort? Friday, March 23 (12:00pm-7:00pm) and Saturday, March 24 (10:00am-5:00pm), the library is hosting our first book sale in our new large program room. All items will be $0.50 each or 3 for $1.00.

Food for Fines

The library recognizes the need for support in our community; therefore, we are pleased to host our popular Food for Fines program. Here is your chance to clear off those nasty overdue fines and help families in need. From March 1 to 31, the library will waive $2.00 of overdue fines for every non-perishable food item you bring in. All donations will go to support the Wheatland County Food Bank.

Special Programs this month

Putt & PlayTuesday, February 20, 12:00pm-4:00pmJoin us for a round of library mini-golf on our fun and challenging golf course! Test your gaming skills with a variety of cool board games or challenge a friend to a game of giant Snakes & Ladders or Connect 4! This program is open to all ages. Children under the age of 8 years must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling. Free to attend. No registration is required.

Secrets Revealed with Christopher CoolWednesday, February 21, 1:00pm-2:00pmIntroducing an interactive, educational, and super fun program that will turn your child into a magician! This special one hour hands-on magic workshop includes all props. Due to the hands on nature of this program and Christopher's set rules, the class size is limited to 25 participants and will only be available to children 8-11 years of age. Cost is $5.00 per child. Register in the library from February 1-18.

Magic Show with Christopher CoolWednesday, February 21, 2:30pm-3:15pmUnable to attend the Secret's Revealed program? Don't worry; we have you covered! The library welcomes back Christopher Cool for another FREE magic show! Tricks, jokes, and lots of exciting fun await you this show! This program requires no registration. Doors open at 2:10pm.

Library OlympicsThursday, February 22, 1:00pm-3:00pmYou don't have to be in PyeongChang to get into the Olympic spirit!!! Come to the library and join in on our own indoor (and warm) version of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games! There will be games, crafts, and activities for all ages. This program is free to attend and no registration is required.

Friday Fun FilmFriday, February 23, 1:00pm-3:00pmEnd your February break by joining us for our Friday Fun Film program! We will be showing Disney's Dinosaur. Rated PG. At the end of the film we will draw for one lucky participant to take the movie home with them. Participants will be treated to popcorn and drinks. This program is free to attend and no registration is required.

Throwback FlicksFriday, February 23, 4:00pm-6:00pmDo you love throwback movies? Join us after our Friday Fun Films for our new Throwback Flicks program presented by our Teen Advisory Council. Great Scott!!!! Our first throwback flick will be the classic movie, Back to the Future. Rated PG. Participants will be treated to popcorn and drinks. This program is free to attend and no registration is required.